The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-09-03
NEBRASKA LETTER.

LINCOLN, Aug ust "a, 1887.
To the Editor of The UeiUersatist.:
L have been spending part of my
va cation in doing missionary work in the
State. Several weeks ago call came to
me from Shelby, and on the 7th of August
Twas there, according to appointment, and
preached. Mine were the first Universal
ist sermons ever given in Polk county.
But / met with a kinder reception than
is sometimes accorded Univer alist min
ister when he goes into a community
where the faith is strange. A liberal
minded brother of the United Brethren
church gave US the use of this church,
Sunday morning and evening. Besides,
enjoyed the hospitality of this good
man over Sunday, and could not have
asked for better treatment than receiv-
ed from him and his wife,
Shelby is pleasant little village and
found quite mum Der of staupch Uni.
versalists there, and in the country
about. The church was well filed both
morning and evening, and never enjoy
ed Sundays work better. It is great
pleasure to meet the friends of our cause
in this new State, and to be able to speak
the truths which are 80 dear to them, and
which are received with such evident rel
ish. None seem to appreciate the privi-
leges and blessings of our church more
fully than those who are cut off from
them.
But the question which will force itself
upon the mind in such vast State as
Nebraska is: Will the time ever come
when our friends in different parts of
the State will have church and minis
fer of their own? This is practically an
unworked field SO far as Universaliem is
concerned; but it is capable of yielding
the richest returns, if there were only the
laborers and means at hand to properly
till it. Shelby, Osceolo, and Stromsburg,
are all good towns within convenient dis
tancs of each other. Each contains quite
number OF avowed Universalists, enough
to form the nucleus for three good
societies. Bat the work must wait, be-
cause there is no one at present to do it.
From Shelby 1 went to York. We
have tasty little church here which
was built some six or seven years
ago when the cause was stronger In the
town than it is now-several OF its most
generous and loyal supporters having
moved to other pats of the country.
However, there are enough Universalists
to maintain services one quarter of the
time. The Universalist State Conference
was TO meet here the 18th and 18th of Au-
gust, and Rev r. s. Kellerman, the pas
tor, had decided to have week of meet
ings just previous to the converting of the
Conference. Rev. Mr.. KellermaD, Rev.
W. F. Small, who, with his wife, was
spending portion of his vacation with
his parents who reside near York, Br
Snow from Custer county and myself
took part in the weeks meetings. AS
result of our labors fourteen people were
received into the church as members by
the pastor on the following Sunday.
The Conference was not very largely
attended. but friends were present from
Clay Center, Stromsburg and Lincoln.
The meetings were full of encouragement
and profit to all who we're in attendance.
The parishes at Marble Precinct and
Tecumseh were not represented at the
Conference by deie gates. But we are
pleased to be able to speak good word
for each. Br. W. N. Becker, Jr., contin-
ues to preach at the Marble Precinct
church two Sundays in each month. His
congregations are larger than usual and
increasing. The Tecumseh parish does
not have regular preaching ser ices; but
the Sunday.school is maintained. The
good attendance and the interest mani
Tested by the scholars are a surprise to
the people themselves.
Br. Kellerman is doing good work at
York, although at considerable inconven-
venience to himself. He is we'll liked by
the few faithful friends OF our cause
there. We only wish that he could see his
way clear to devote the whole of mis- time
and energy to the work in the State.
The Lincoln church ia closed during
August except for Sunday school, which
meets as usual. We expect to begin
work again the first Sunday in September
with renewed energy. The ladies of the
church are preparing to open booth at
the State Fair next month; and would
be pleased to receive a call from any of
our friends in the State who may be
visiting Lincoln at that time.
EBEN Ell. CHAPLIN.